ETHICAL DILEMMA
Let's read the following article on the topic of ethics in the age of digital media. When you have finished the article, return to the blog and answer the following questions.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d321c9b6-f85d-11dd-aae8-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1QUESTION
Apart from some deceptive blogging practices some companies are engaging in, how else has the Internet become a "web of deception"?
From this computer I must become registered in order to viwe the article
ReplyDeleteIt's a very quick registration process and it's free.
ReplyDeleteThere are no strict regulations that current address these specific issues. People are being asked to use "common sense" the most basic form of "self-regulation" the issue here is integrity which many companys ignore.
ReplyDeleteExactly, which is why the FTC is starting to look at all forms of social media, specifically blogging, and is putting together regulation and rules.
ReplyDeleteApart from deceptive blogging practices, how else has the Internet become a “web of deception”?
ReplyDeleteApart from the practices it is the lack of regulation that currently exists to address theses growing issues.
ReplyDeleteCan you be more specific or give examples of how companies or individuals are abusing web advertising and messaging?
ReplyDeleteAny ideas?
ReplyDeleteThere are arent any regulations fron legislative bodies that regulate truth in advertising such as the FTC who had not yet implemented regulations.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of unethical web practices- people are abusing the current lack of regulation and decieving the consumer with false positive feed back on their products
when the information is false online, it is deceptive. it is not fare for the company of the consumer to be represented both positively or negatively because of what was posted or how a person reviewed a product. we are taking their words and experience to heart which affects our decision making for the company, brand or service
ReplyDeleteYes, the idea of falsely representing yourself when giving feedback or promoting a product is an area of web deception. Be sure to read the article handouts you received yesterday from L.A. as they give plenty more examples.
ReplyDeleteSo, today, we are going to start discussing advertising in our digital world. (Chapter 8 in our textbook)
ReplyDeleteDoes the explosion of digital technology raise concerns about the intrusive nature of such technologies to the point where we can be hiking through Sabino Canyon only to receive a text message on our cell phone advertising a sale at Macy’s?
Any thoughts?
ReplyDeletewell it depends if it is an invasion of privacy. with the example of getting a text from Macy's about a sale while hiking can be irritating because the purpose of hiking is to get away from it all. also if the person signed up for advertising services, its there bad, if not then they are obligated to recieve advertising text they have signed up for.
ReplyDeleteThoughts on recieveing a text in sabino?
ReplyDeleteYes this can be considered intrusive to some.
ReplyDeleteFrankie, you hit the nail on the head. The big thing about today's various forms of digital technology comes down to PRIVACY and CONSENT.
ReplyDeleteThere are four areas of ethical concern when it comes to digital media/advertising. They include:
ReplyDelete1. Informed consent
2. Privacy
3. Manipulation of consent through inducement
4. “Immersive Advertising” (blurs the distinction between content and advertising)
Let's start with privacy. Apart from receiving an unwanted text message when hiking, what are other forms of advertising that can be considered an invasion of privacy?
ReplyDeleteWhen a company keeps a log of everything you or your friends buy online only to make the information public in hopes that it generates more sales
ReplyDeleteGood example, Correne.
ReplyDeleteSome others include technology that collects information about you as you enter a store or pop-up ads when surfing the Internet. Also, receiving junk mail in your mailbox can be considered an invasion of one's privacy.
ReplyDeletegiving out the information that is considered private to a different party the buys the information and then the consumer gets riddled with unwanted advertising and spam
ReplyDeleteWould you say that the idea of sending unsolicited messages is ethically justified or unjustified?
ReplyDeleteAre you still with me?
ReplyDeleteethically justified- there is no invasion required to send an advertisement if they are just spread out and not personalized
ReplyDeletedepends on whether the individual gave their information out in the first place
ReplyDeleteWe have a disagreement here!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of sending unsolicited messages is ethically unjustified.
To have a relationship with consumers, it must be a two-way relationship with both parties providing consent, i.e. the advertiser asking for permission to contact the consumer and the consumer providing their permission to be contacted.
One-way communications from advertiser to consumer is not interactive and not a conversation, and are an invasion of privacy.
Correne, do you agree with this statement or not?
ReplyDeleteIn research we talked about databases. How is the use of databases to collect information about consumer demographics, purchasing patterns, household income, etc. unethical?
ReplyDeleteany compnay can buy this information because the database is just one giant storage unit of consumer buying activiity
ReplyDeleteNo I do not, If the relationship is concentual and the consumer has provided contact information this could not be considered unethical
ReplyDeleteIf the contact is "One-way" and not interactive its just an ad with no privacy violation
People may not want their information to be used or public
ReplyDeleteYou are correct Correne in that a TV or radio or print ad is typically "one way" communication in which we did not give our permission to be contacted. In those cases, if consumers aren't interested, they tune you out. However, when it comes to other forms of advertising such as email newsletters or text messaging of ads, and we did not "opt-in", then this is a violation of one's privacy.
ReplyDeleteThat is true I see the difference
ReplyDeleteBack to databases...
ReplyDeleteThe use of such information without the consumer’s knowledge and consent to receive targeted advertising messages = invasion of privacy.
Informed consent (which is the actual giving of permission to be contacted by an advertiser) cannot be gathered after the data has been collected, turned into a profile and then used in advertising; THEREFORE, consent must be gathered from consumers prior to any data collection.
Does this make sense? Do you agree/disagree?
ReplyDelete"cannot be gathered after the data has been collected," this part does not make sense to me
ReplyDeleteit does make sense. if consumers know what they are getting themselves into, it is ok. if they are cluelss and are attacked then its unethical because there is not preagreement
ReplyDeleteI do agree that this procedure is ethical and effective. If all information is screned for consent than we can eliminate invasion of privacy.
ReplyDeleteisn't that portion correne mention a transitional piece about the data being collected and then distributed?
ReplyDeleteThis means that as an advertiser you cannot use the info. from your consumer database, create your targeted messaging, blast it out to consumers AND THEN ask for consumer's permission to be contacted by you.
ReplyDeleteWhile it doesn't always happen in the "real world", what ethical business practices would say is that consumers are made aware upfront that their personal information or buying habits may be used in targeted communications.
Does this help?
ReplyDeleteMoving on to part #3...
ReplyDeleteWhat is “inducement”?
yes
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what that means in reference to ethics
ReplyDeleteOkay, what is "inducement" (referring to ethical issue #3 - manipulation of consent through inducement)?
ReplyDeleteWell, the definition of "inducement" is something that motivates or persuades; an incentive.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, as it applies to advertising ethics, "inducement" is when consumers are induced through variety of means such as a promise of a reward, participating in a contest, etc. to get them to your Web site, or to call your 800#.
The advertiser manipulates the consumer into giving concent through inducement, i.e. the small print at the bottom of a page that says you will allow for more ads
ReplyDeleteIs "inducement" then ethically justified or unjustified, and why?
ReplyDeletei do not know
ReplyDeleteNot exactly, Correne. See above response.
ReplyDeleteIs "inducement" then ethically justified or unjustified, and why?
ReplyDeleteIt is justified it still produced concious concent
ReplyDeleteit is ethically unjustified because it is bribing the consumer to act now and be rewarded for participation. it doesn't mean they will always get the people they want to participate that has used the product or service. however, retail stores have broke that system, kinda...
ReplyDeleteI'll give you that, Correne. If someone is coming to your site in order to participate in a contest in hopes of winning a prize, then they are there on their own will.
ReplyDeleteLast question for the day...
ReplyDeleteThis form of inducement (using a contest or prize to get folks to your site) is also referred to as “immersive advertising”. What is immersive advertising?
This is when the lines between content and ads are blured, i.e. the Flogs
ReplyDeleteExactly. "Immersive advertising" is when an advertisement integrates itself with its natural surroundings, making it difficult to determine where the advertisement ends and reality begins.
ReplyDeleteETHICS HOMEWORK REMINDER
ReplyDeleteNOTE: There is homework due upon your return from NSAC on April 23rd.
-Read Chapter 8 in textbook on Digital Marketing (+ handouts)
-Read Chapter 9 in textbook.
-Read and answer “Pro Wal-Mart Travel Blog Screeches to a Halt” case study and answer questions for hand-in on Thursday, April 23rd
-Article Journaling answers for Wednesday, April 15th at 12pm
***On Thursday, April 16th, a new article will be posted to the Ethics blog for you to read and answer by Wednesday, April 22nd at 12pm.***